Mitchellville Prison Blues
There isn’t a Johnny Cash song about the Mitchellville state women’s prison but maybe there should be. They have implemented a terrific program in conjunction with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, allowing inmates who qualify to help care for mixed breed dogs until they can be adopted.
About 100 dogs annually receive care from Mitchellville inmates through the prison’s PAWS program, which stands for Pets and Women Succeeding. It started in February 2002.
About the same number of cats are overseen each year through WHISKERS, an acronym for Women Helping Indigent Special Kittens Earn Residence. It began in January 2003.
Oscar and Jo Jo have cocker spaniel and schnauzer bloodlines. They came from a puppy mill, where they were locked in cages for the first 11 months of their lives, prison officials said.
They were antisocial when they arrived at Mitchellville and didn’t want to be separated. Now, both dogs let inmates pet them and they can sleep alone, said Jennifer Hines, 32, of Dubuque, who is serving time for forgery.
“I feel like I have accomplished something,” Hines said. “I can actually say that these dogs are ready to be adopted out, and I don’t think they will be returned.”
Five inmates provide full-time care for dogs through Mitchellville’s PAWS program. They work in two, eight-hour shifts each day, using dog-friendly methods to teach some basics, including house and crate training, and getting used to a collar and leash.
Across the yard at the Mitchellville prison, officially known as the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women, is the WHISKERS program. Eight women patiently care for abandoned cats and kittens.
This program can literally make the difference between life and death for these animals, and at the same time help to change the lives of the prisoners.
Both the PAWS and WHISKERS programs teach responsibility, patience, leadership, teamwork, self-control and self-esteem. The training gained through these programs helps prepare the inmates for future employment opportunities and allows them to contribute positively to the community.
I’ve read about other prisons doing this to aid in rehabilitation, it has benefits for both animals and humans alike. If these types of programs spread to prisons throughout the country think of how many homeless animals could be saved.
I want to thank Dogster member Aloya for barking this to me.
* Photo courtesy JOHN GAPS III/THE REGISTER
Well well well…I see that just because someone commits a crime, doesn’t mean they have to actually do the time!!!! I do not believe these “female inmates” should be allowed to socialize with people much less dogs. Jail is jail. It is what it is. You commit the crime, you do the time. There is NO such thing as rehabilitation. None whatsoever. I have SEEN it in my 14 years. These “people” have broken the law, and probably more than once. I would not take in a dog that had been “trained or cared for by an inmate!” That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!!!! Instead of bragging about how it feels to “help” a dog, how about not committing any more crimes????
How about giving someone a second chance????
I think this is great! The key to rehabilitation is love and compasion. Again the keys program was amazing and no longer exists, I hope this program works! Although I have never been to jail or prison I know a few people who have. People make mistakes and I agree with Ang… what about a second chance. The few people I know made mistakes at a young age and learned from doing time…they have become extremley successful, thanks to the prison programs.
Um, I’m pretty sure that this program does not hurt anyone. These women (most of them addicted to drugs) do deserve a second chance. Animals do not judge who a person is and showing these inmates that they can socialize and make a change is someone or somethings life builds their self esteem. It’s not like they can hurt the animal because they are kept under supervision. This prison does focus on rehabilitation and it it can help one person, then it’s worth the program. You are right, a lot of people won’t ever change, but some do and it doesn’t hurt to provide the help.
I have adopted a cat from the ARL that was raised as a kitten there and she is very well socialized. You look worse than these inmates by placing judgement and you are one of the reasons why people may not change, if no one has faith in them (like most of the people they probably had growing up, which is a big reason why people become criminals) than they probably won’t want to better themselves.
I’m doing my internship at Mitchelville and I would be proud to work there.